please help. weight gain horrendous.

[natalyab]

I. was diagnosed with copd in September 2012. since dec 2012 until three weeks ago I have put on 2stone 10 lb.

[peege]

I truely sympathise, you must be feeling rotten about it or you wouldn't have posted.

I strongly urge you to call the help line and they will help you and explain better than I why you need to have an optimim weight.

Some say steroids make you big, however, I've read hear that they somehow stop the 'I'm full' button from working in your brain. Fortunately this hasn't been my experience, mine's eating too much of the wrong stuff and not enough exercise.

Last year I lost 21lbs and it gave my self esteem such a boost. I did it by cutting out fat, sugar (including fruit) and sheer will power that I didn't know I had.

I sort of followed Dr Dukan and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. In fact I will have a dabble again as I've put on a few lbs sitting about with an infection. Some will say The Dukan way of eating is bad but it suits me very well

Some friends are loosing by doing The Fast thingy at the moment. Where for 2 days per week you I dont think

My normal will power is zilch so the only way I can manage is if I dont have any temptation in the house'

Losing it made my breathing better too, less pressure on my lower lungs, more energy, more self esteem and some pride in myself.

Do you know why you put on the weight? Dont be afraid to get help and support from you GP practice and please calll the helpline - someone will be along with the number soon. Set yourself realistic goals to suit you (mine was half a stone, reached that, then another half, reached that so decided to do another half.

There is a lovely guy here called Dall05 who's done very well to lose weight (for very different reasons to myself).

I wish you well and will support you as much as you need. Peeg

Now I'm doing a PR (Pulmonary Rehab) in order to get some strength back, get lungs working as well as possible to avoid getting further infections. So far it's brilliant.

[peege in reply to peege]

....fasting thingy where for days per week you have only 500 calories. I don't think I could cope on that with blood sugar plummets. .....

[scrobbitty in reply to peege]

The helpline number is 03000 030 555. The best way to lose weight is not to eat hollow calories i.e sugar, saturated fats, etc. and to exercise as much as your are able. Your G.P. should be able to advise a specific diet or eating plan for you and your condition. Good luck. xx

[Hidden]

Hi I haven't put on weight since being diagnosed with COPD. I have put on weight because I am a greedy guts and eat too much and of the wrong thing. But its not because of any steriods.

Bev x

[phillips1 in reply to Hidden]

I am 4 stone overweight Bev and I find that honesty is the best policy. I always put the blame squarely where it lies. I blame the pork pies, pasties, choccys and cakes. They are very naughty to tempt me so much.

Bobby xxx

[Hidden in reply to phillips1]

I am being wicked, Bobby BIG SMILEY but activity behind the bike sheds is really good.

[Jayenne]

Hii - as Peeg states - Steroids will make you put weight on. Not sure if you are taking them, but if so I would suggest this is the reason for your weight gain.

I am into my 7th week on steroids and so far I have already put on 1/2 stone! I am mortified... I was aware and told by my consultant to expect to put on weight as your appetite increases, plus you will retain fluid. My appetite has definitely increased to the point where I dare not sit still for too long as it seems I HAVE to be feeding my face if I'm not doing anything! I am also developing the 'moon face'... "you look like a hamster" says my adult daughter! I hope it doesn't continue to increase - appetite and moon face. Mind you eating sensible (me) would help rather than indulge in all the wrong, fattening foods I seem to crave!

I hope your weight gain slows down, and that there is a valid reason (as above - steroids) for the gain. Good luck if you are able to diet in any way if that helps.

Jean

[Hidden]

I was about to ask a question about weight. I have put on a big amount. I am sedentary, and can do light housework. I don't walk anywhere. I have a buggy. I wouldn't say I was a big eater by any means but don't enough exercise to burn off the calories. I do get disheartened because I attended the gym, a little ago, and didn't shed a lb. I don't know what the answer is because whatever I do, I don't lose weight. When I was younger, I could easily lose weight, but the older I get, the harder it is. It doesn't matter whether I snack or not, it makes no difference. I have other problems at the moment, you would think the worry might make me lose weight.

[Lynne1955]

Hi. I put on 2 stone when I gave up smoking. Smoking makes the metabolism work faster, so when you stop, it slows. So even without eating more, weight gain can happen.

As others ave said, steroids in tablet form also have a big effect. I am on a steroid inhaler which does not have the same effect, so maybe you could see about switching? The reason for this is (I have been told) is that tablet steroids are absorbed into the bloodstream whereas inhaled steroids go straight to the lung.

As for losing the weight, I am counting calories and have increased my exercise. I've just lost half a stone and have another 1.5 to go. I find this is a good time to diet as the hot weather puts me off food anyway. I don't use it, but there is a free Internet site for calorie counting that is good and it records all you eat and drink and works out how many calories you should have to lose. It's called MyFitnessPal.

Good luck,

Lynne xx

Lynne xx

[Hidden in reply to Lynne1955]

Thanks Lynne, that's helpful, like you when I stopped smoking I put on 2 stone, have lost 1 stone but am find it increasingly difficult to lose the rest, like you not able to eat properly in this heat but find I am then picking on the wrong things. Need more willpower, lol

Peta

[Hidden]

Forggot to mention, I am starting a PR course.

[peege in reply to Hidden]

Good news Annieseed, I really hope you get something out of it. The physios who run mine are very dedicated and know a great deal. Interesting talks given too. xx

[phillips1 in reply to Hidden]

I am so glad you got your PR course Annie, you will love it.

Bobby xxxx

[libbygood]

I am just the opposite I am desperate to put on weight, I have lost 2 stone since last August and am size 8 now when I was size 12. I try to eat all the wrong things cakes, biscuits etc. unfortunately I'm not keen on full fat milk. My weight loss co-insides with starting ADs, don't know if that has contributed to the loss.

Lib x

[willowgirl]

sorry you put weight on big time, i know how you feel as am in same boat, i do lead a pretty sedentry life due to various illness but weight has just gone haywire , large gain very quick, spoke to doctor about it and he tested bloods, came back under active thyroid, started on levo thyroxine now, not noticed any difference yet but just wondering if maybe you should enquire about this next time you see doctor xx

[nanaber]

I put on a stone and a bit when I gave up smoking 3 years ago. My weight goes up a little and then I watch what I eat and lose it but the initial 1 1/2 stone I just can't lose. I have various medical conditions that make exercise difficult to do so I don't do very much of that.

On more positive note my sister has joined slimming world and is doing very well. so I'm thinking of joining them and see if I can lose this extra weight. You would think I would have got used to the new mw but after 3 years I still get a shock with I see myself in photos.

[poeticlady in reply to nanaber]

I put a lot of weight since taking oral steroids, I take 40mg daily now,plus I am not able to get about the same. but 20 months ago I joined weight watchers,and managed to lose 2 and a half stone over a period of 20 months.trouble is now,any weight I am losing is muscle,as I have a bbig tummy due to the cushing syndrome caused by the steroids,but you can loss some if not all of your extra pounds with weight watchers,p.s is also good diet for my diabetis

[Hidden]

I do feel that age has a lot to do with the ability to lose weight. It rolled off me in my 40s with WW. I became underweight. Since then, increasingly difficult. The older you get, the less mobile and with breathing problems thrown in ....excuses.

[peege]

I use Activia 0% fat ones.....1/2 a pot + 1&1/2 pots plain live 0% fat + 2 tbls of oatbran mixed together for breakfast every day. Also as a snack or pud. Lots of flavours to choose from.

The diet ones are far too sweet, very annoying

[katieoxo60]

Hi natalyab, you have my sympathy in respect of weight, it's not just COPD to blame lung diseases cause reduced activity as does getting older, steroids cause slight gains in weight over time, giving up smoking causes weight gain too,and for many substitutes like choccies instead of ciggies causes weight gain. I confess mine is due to food , mainly, any kind of food and too big portions. But any number of things can contribute to weight gain and more so if you have several risk factors combined.Read that one of the stars had 60 days of just fruit juice then a month of veg only and lost a few stone in weight seems a bit extreme for people who are ill like ourselves